We stood together feeling giggly and liberated’: Women bathe themselves in GLITTER and pose naked in the countryside for an empowering photo shoot to celebrate body positivity

It all began in Australia in 2017 where a group of 15 women from Brisbane, Queensland, met on Facebook through a shared interest in lingerie before deciding to create a playful shoot on the organiser’s farm to smash body stereotypes.

Since, the movement has taken off and the most recent shoot saw 56 women meeting up in Dean, country Victoria, for a set of picturesque and playful photographs.

“Over the past year, groups of women around the world have been meeting up, covering themselves in glitter and posing naked as part of the empowering ‘ Positively Glittered ‘ self-love movement (pictured is the latest shoot in Dean, Victoria)”/>

Over the past year, groups of women around the world have been meeting up, covering themselves in glitter and posing naked as part of the empowering ‘ Positively Glittered ‘ self-love movement (pictured is the latest shoot in Dean, Victoria)

“‘The day was split into two groups, one anonymous, one happy to be recognisable. Between myself and three other photographers, we shot 56 women in total that day,’ photographer Jill Kerswill told FEMAIL”/>

‘The day was split into two groups, one anonymous, one happy to be recognisable. Between myself and three other photographers, we shot 56 women in total that day,’ photographer Jill Kerswill told FEMAIL

‘The day was split into two groups, one anonymous, one happy to be recognisable. Between myself and three other photographers, we shot 56 women in total that day,’ photographer Jill Kerswill told FEMAIL.

‘It was amazing. We also had the most diverse range of ages, body shapes and ethnicities we’ve seen to date.

‘I can’t speak on behalf of the organisers, but the feedback I received from participants seemed to be that this was the most emotionally confronting shoot to date. I think we’re starting to see people getting involved who wouldn’t otherwise put themselves in a situation like this.’

Ms Kerswill said a few of the women said that while it was ‘extremely difficult’ to strip off and embrace the experience, it all made sense when they saw the images.

‘It was amazing. We also had the most diverse range of ages, body shapes and ethnicities we’ve seen to date,’ she said “/>

‘It was amazing. We also had the most diverse range of ages, body shapes and ethnicities we’ve seen to date,’ she said

“‘I can’t speak on behalf of the organisers, but the feedback I received from participants seemed to be that this was the most emotionally confronting shoot to date,’ she said”/>

‘I can’t speak on behalf of the organisers, but the feedback I received from participants seemed to be that this was the most emotionally confronting shoot to date,’ she said

“‘I can’t speak on behalf of the organisers, but the feedback I received from participants seemed to be that this was the most emotionally confronting shoot to date,’ she said”/>

‘I can’t speak on behalf of the organisers, but the feedback I received from participants seemed to be that this was the most emotionally confronting shoot to date,’ she said

Women sparkle in the sun for the Positively Glitter photoshoot

‘When they received the images and had a chance to really absorb them, they were ultimately glad they did it,’ she said.

There was no restriction for size, shape, skin colour, race… we all stood together as one, feeling equally as giggly and liberated.

Ariane Bingham

‘For me, the day was mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting, but the positive feedback we get makes it all worthwhile.’

While it takes confidence to take part in the shoot, many of the women couldn’t speak highly enough about their experience on the day.

‘The thought of getting nudie rudie with a big group seemed daunting but within no time everyone stopped thinking about how little they had on. We were all chatting away and giggling in our glitter suits, I think everyone came away from the experience feeling a little more empowered than before they went in,’ one woman, Stefania Ferrario told FEMAIL.

“Ms Kerswill said a few of the women said that while it was ‘extremely difficult’ to strip off and embrace the experience, it all made sense when they saw the images”/>

Ms Kerswill said a few of the women said that while it was ‘extremely difficult’ to strip off and embrace the experience, it all made sense when they saw the images

“While it takes confidence to take part in the shoot, many of the women couldn’t speak highly enough about their experience on the day”/>

While it takes confidence to take part in the shoot, many of the women couldn’t speak highly enough about their experience on the day

“While it takes confidence to take part in the shoot, many of the women couldn’t speak highly enough about their experience on the day”/>

While it takes confidence to take part in the shoot, many of the women couldn’t speak highly enough about their experience on the day

Another participant, Anna, said while the ‘road to self love isn’t easy’, there is ‘something incredibly, beautifully empowering about looking at yourself and proudly saying ‘I love and respect myself”.

‘Even if I don’t believe those words 100 per cent of the time, every time I say it, it becomes more real. The Victorian Positively Glittered event changed my mindset in the most fabulous way, seeing so many women transform into Glittery goddesses, filled with self love and love for each other,’ she said.

Lizi, who also posed on the day, said she had struggled a lot with self-love and travelled three hours to take part in the shoot.

‘I stepped right out of my comfort zone and met a bunch of fabulous ladies, stripped bare and we covered ourselves in glitter in the name of body positivity and acceptance,’ she said.

“‘I think everyone came away from the experience feeling a little more empowered than before they went in,’ one woman, Stefania Ferrario told FEMAIL”/>

‘I think everyone came away from the experience feeling a little more empowered than before they went in,’ one woman, Stefania Ferrario told FEMAIL

“‘As someone who has long struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating at times this was a huge celebration of accepting who I am, as a whole,’ one said”/>

‘As someone who has long struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating at times this was a huge celebration of accepting who I am, as a whole,’ one said

“‘As someone who has long struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating at times this was a huge celebration of accepting who I am, as a whole,’ one said”/>

‘As someone who has long struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating at times this was a huge celebration of accepting who I am, as a whole,’ one said

‘As someone who has long struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating at times this was a huge celebration of accepting who I am, as a whole.

There’s a dozen industries telling us we can pay for a cure to our shame.

Jill Kerswill

‘I am so grateful for what my body allows me to do and achieve each and every day.’

Another, Ariane Bingham, added: ‘I couldn’t think of a better way to improve our self love, personal acceptance and heal old body confidence scars than to spend the day with Positively Glittered.

‘Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin, and it was truly special to be involved in this life changing day, with so many women stepping outside of the comfort zone of clothing. There was no restriction for size, shape, skin colour, race… we all stood together as one, feeling equally as giggly and liberated.’

“Another, Ariane Bingham, added: ‘I couldn’t think of a better way to improve our self love, personal acceptance and heal old body confidence scars than to spend the day with Positively Glittered'”/>

Another, Ariane Bingham, added: ‘I couldn’t think of a better way to improve our self love, personal acceptance and heal old body confidence scars than to spend the day with Positively Glittered’

“‘I am so grateful for what my body allows me to do and achieve each and every day,’ one woman said “/>

‘I am so grateful for what my body allows me to do and achieve each and every day,’ one woman said

“‘Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin, and it was truly special to be involved in this life changing day,’ another participant added “/>

‘Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin, and it was truly special to be involved in this life changing day,’ another participant added

The most recent shoot comes after a group of six women took part in a quirky Priscilla Queen of the Desert themed Positively Glittered shoot in rural Queensland.

During that shoot, the women glittered themselves up and donned all kinds of eye-popping props as they playfully posed for Ms Kerswill.

Inspired by Australian musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the group’s props and accessories included feathered headpieces, scarves, feather boas and crowns.

The women then posed for stunning solo hilltop snaps before climbing a windmill for glittery group photos.

They were also snapped posing by a paddock, standing proudly on hills and arm-in-arm in front of the stunning sunset backdrop.

“The most recent shoot comes after a group of six women took part in a quirky Priscilla Queen of the Desert themed Positively Glittered shoot in rural Queensland “/>

The most recent shoot comes after a group of six women took part in a quirky Priscilla Queen of the Desert themed Positively Glittered shoot in rural Queensland

“During that shoot, the women glittered themselves up and donned all kinds of eye-popping props as they playfully posed for Ms Kerswill “/>

During that shoot, the women glittered themselves up and donned all kinds of eye-popping props as they playfully posed for Ms Kerswill

” The women then posed for stunning solo hilltop snaps before climbing a windmill for glittery group photos”/>

The women then posed for stunning solo hilltop snaps before climbing a windmill for glittery group photos

‘Our main inspiration was Pricilla Queen Of The Desert. We shot on a private property in Tara so we had to travel quite far from Brisbane and stay overnight,’ Ms Kerswill said.

‘Being the only person with clothes on is really bizarre – in a way it made me feel like there was literally a barrier standing between me and this profound experience.

‘Every time we shoot one of these, there’s always a moment right as the girls strip down where they seem hesitant. They might touch their bellies or lift up their boobs because it’s something they’re self conscious about.

‘Then they look around, see a girl with a flat tummy or perkier boobs is covering something she’s self conscious about and suddenly all that fear melts away. It’s so beautiful. Being involved had really helped me deal with some of my own self-worth issues and insecurities about my body.’

“‘Being the only person with clothes on is really bizarre – in a way it made me feel like there was literally a barrier standing between me and this profound experience,’ Jill said “/>

‘Being the only person with clothes on is really bizarre – in a way it made me feel like there was literally a barrier standing between me and this profound experience,’ Jill said

They glittered themselves up and donned all kinds of eye-popping props”/>

They glittered themselves up and donned all kinds of eye-popping props

“Inspired by Australian musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the group’s props and accessories included feathered headpieces, scarves, feather boas and crowns”/>

Inspired by Australian musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the group’s props and accessories included feathered headpieces, scarves, feather boas and crowns

Inspired by Australian musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the group’s props and accessories included feathered headpieces, scarves, feather boas and crowns”/>

Inspired by Australian musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the group’s props and accessories included feathered headpieces, scarves, feather boas and crowns

Jill said that ‘women are taught from a young age that we’re not good enough, we need to be fixed’.

‘There’s a dozen industries telling us we can pay for a cure to our shame,’ she said.

‘As a photographer, I’m in a unique position to help women feel great about themselves just the way they are.

‘It’s an honour to be involved in this project. Watching women in their most vulnerable state relax into their own skin, seeing strangers become sisters, is something I wish everyone could experience.’

Bonnie, one of the organisers of the shoot, took to Instagram afterwards to rave about how wonderful the experience was.

“They were also snapped posing by a paddock, standing proudly on hills and arm-in-arm in front of the stunning sunset backdrop”/>

They were also snapped posing by a paddock, standing proudly on hills and arm-in-arm in front of the stunning sunset backdrop

“Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Bonnie, the organiser, said the women originally met on Facebook through a shared interest in lingerie before deciding to organise the shoot on a farm in rural Queensland to break down stereotypes”/>

Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Bonnie, the organiser, said the women originally met on Facebook through a shared interest in lingerie before deciding to organise the shoot on a farm in rural Queensland to break down stereotypes

Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Bonnie, the organiser, said the women originally met on Facebook through a shared interest in lingerie before deciding to organise the shoot on a farm in rural Queensland to break down stereotypes”/>

Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Bonnie, the organiser, said the women originally met on Facebook through a shared interest in lingerie before deciding to organise the shoot on a farm in rural Queensland to break down stereotypes

‘I am so incredibly proud of this little project and of everyone involved. We truly are queens of the desert!’

Speaking to FEMAIL previously, Bonnie said the women originally met on Facebook through a shared interest in lingerie before deciding to organise the shoot on a farm in rural Queensland.

‘We all met through blogging about lingerie and our love of knickers and we were talking about how much fun it would be to play in glitter… and it just grew from there,’ Bonnie said

‘We bring together girls of different backgrounds, who would never normally meet, and have a smashing day full of glitter, snacks, fun and photos!

‘I’m blessed to be in a group of women who bring each other up, who have the best sense of humour, and also enjoy getting naked and covering ourselves in glitter.’